Hi Ladies I've just watched the magic school bus video and believe I can use it to introduce Space travel. I think this is a good way to introduce the space topic as the students will relate to it and it will engage their interest in the whole topic.
All our lesson ideas can stem from this initial intro, I'm going to refer to this clip to extend the students' thinking about how we get into space and hence we can explore the ideas of our lessons. I'm just going to nut out my ideas for the rocket lesson, hope to add to this page later today, Fiona

That sounds great Fiona, sounds like our assignment is taking shape =O) Mxo

Introduction to lesson - Discuss the magic shool bus video, how did Mrs Frizzle's class go to space? How do astronauts go to space? Guide thinking to rockets/space shuttle. Did the students wear anything particular in space? (Spacesuits) Show a video of a space shuttle taking off on Smartboard ( Discovery blasting off )and images of astronauts during a spacewalk. This is done as whole class.

Divide students in 2 groups, group 1 - research about space shuttle using nasa site, group 2 - research about space suits also using nasa site.Use iteractive sites to enhance learning. As students find info, they make notes to produce a powerpoint on the sapce shuttle.

The criteria for group 1 is what is a space shuttle, what is it used for, how does it take off/land.etc. Group 2 - why wear suits, different parts of suit. Use interactive sites to enhance learning.

build a rocket spacesuit Buzz Lightyear